Vet Millwood opposes young Hughes in opener

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

There have been six games played at Camden Yards this year, and the Orioles' faithful still hasn't seen a win.

After getting a champion's welcome at the White House from President Barack Obama on Monday, the Yankees -- coming off their first series loss of the season -- will look to continue that trend when they start a three-game series in Baltimore on Tuesday.

Baltimore, in last place at 13 games under .500, dropped its previous six-game homestand April 9-14 with back-to-back three-game sweeps suffered at the hands of the Blue Jays and Rays, though four of those games were decided by three runs or fewer.

It doesn't get any easier from here.

The O's six-game homestand will see them host the Yankees and Red Sox. Then they'll hit the road to face the Yankees and Twins for seven.

But the O's will take it one game at a time -- and they'll start with that first home win.

"You always look forward to playing in Camden; beautiful ballpark," said manager Dave Trembley, whose club is coming off a thrilling 10-inning win against the Red Sox. "I am sure the guys will really feel comfortable. It has been a long grind. The schedule does not get easier. It continues to be challenging, but you always look forward to playing at home. We need to win at home. We haven't won one yet, so it'd be nice to get that one out of the way on Tuesday."

Yankees: Hughes gets another shot at perfection
Phil Hughes was good in his first start since winning a job in the rotation this spring, and he was almost perfect in the second. On Wednesday against the Athletics in Oakland, the 23-year-old right-hander -- with his parents looking on from the stands -- had a no-hitter through seven before singlehandedly bringing it to an end.

Leading off the eighth, Eric Chavez hit a hard comebacker towards the mound that Hughes knocked down but struggled to find, which resulted in Oakland's first hit of the game.

"To have it end that way is kind of a bummer, but that's the game," said Hughes, who finished being charged with one run -- which scored with Joba Chamberlain on the mound -- on that one hit and two walks while striking out 10 in 7 1/3 innings. "I'm just happy to get out of here with a win."

It isn't likely, but perhaps Hughes can actually go all the way when he gets his Tuesday start against an Orioles team that's batting a collective .239.

Orioles: Millwood looks to snap his own streak
While the Orioles seek their first win at home, staff veteran Kevin Millwood -- acquired from the Rangers in December and owed $12 million this season -- seeks his first victory in a Baltimore uniform. The 35-year-old right-hander hasn't been bad -- he sports a 3.38 ERA and has struck out 24 while walking only four -- but he's 0-3 in his first four starts of the season, mainly because Baltimore has given him an average of just below two runs per game while he's been on the mound.

Worth noting
Last year, the Yankees, who dropped two of three to the Angels over the weekend, went 13-5 against the Orioles and came out victorious in six of nine games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. ... New York designated hitter Nick Johnson remained sidelined Sunday, but said his lower-back stiffness is improving and may be ready to play Tuesday. Yanks manager Joe Girardi said he wants to see Johnson hit off a tee and soft toss Tuesday before considering putting him in the lineup. ... O's reliever Cla Meredith recorded his first save in 272 career relief appearances in Sunday's 7-6, 10-inning win at Fenway Park. ... Ty Wigginton, batting .327, has reached base safely in 12 of his past 13 games.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.